Filter with self-positioning cartridge arrangement

ABSTRACT

An aquarium filter arrangement including a filter housing and a filter cartridge having self-spacing structure. The self-spacing structure being designed to automatically space the filter cartridge in an operable filtering position. The operable filtering position being a position at which the filter cartridge is seated against a single rib formed in the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/893,359,filed Aug. 15, 2007; which application is herein incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for use in theaquatics industry, and various methods associated with such devices.More particularly, this disclosure relates to a filter housing andfilter cartridge for use in filtering aquarium water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To maintain an ecological balance within an aquarium, it is necessary toclean the aquarium water. Cleaning is often accomplished by filteringthe aquarium water through a filter housing. In the filter housing,water enters a filter chamber, flows through a filter element, and isthen returned to the aquarium. Through normal filtering operation,various particulates become trapped in the filter element, requiring theuser to regularly service (i.e., maintain and/or replace) the filterelement.

In most aquarium set ups, the filter housing is placed at or near a rearwall of the aquarium. When the filter element is serviced, the userremoves and/or inserts the filter element from the filter housing; thefilter housing remaining stationary at or near the rear aquarium wall. Acommon complaint is that the service procedure, and in particular theinsertion of a filter element into the housing, can be difficult.Specifically, conventional filter housings often have parallel guiderails that define a slot within which each edge of the filter elementmust be aligned to insert the filter element. Given the rear walllocation of the filter housing, alignment and insertion can be achallenge that requires finesse and practice to complete.

In general, improvement has been sought with respect to such filterdevices and arrangements, generally to accommodate ease-of-use for theuser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an aquarium filter including a filterhousing and filter cartridge arrangement that permits a user to easilyservice the aquarium filter. The filter housing and cartridgearrangement includes self-positioning or self-spacing structure thatautomatically positions the filter cartridge in an operable filteringposition relative to the filter housing. What is meant by operablefiltering position is that the filter cartridge is properly positionedfor filtering operations (i.e., the cartridge is positioned so thatwater flowing through the filter housing generally passes through thefilter cartridge for filtration purposes). Further, what is meant by“automatically” is that the structure of the arrangement, as opposed toa user's maneuvering, is what primarily places or locates the filtercartridge in the operable filtering position. In the present filter, theuser need not finesse or exercise practiced skill in aligning the filtercartridge relative to the housing; instead, the self-spacing structureof the cartridge and housing arrangement properly locates and places thefilter cartridge in the operable filtering position.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an aquarium filter including afilter cartridge and filter housing in accordance with the principlesdisclosed;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the aquarium filter of FIG. 1,showing an interior filtering chamber of the filter housing;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side perspective view of the aquarium filterof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 2,shown in isolation;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the aquarium filter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the aquarium filter of FIG. 1,shown with a portion of filter housing cut away;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the interior filtering chamber of thefilter housing of FIG. 2, the filter housing being illustrated without arear wall; and

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the interior filtering chamber ofthe filter housing of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an aquarium filter 10 including a filter housing 12and a filter cartridge 14 (e.g., filter element, filter elementassembly, or filter cartridge assembly) having features in accordancewith the principles disclosed. The filter 10 is designed for use in anaquarium; however, the features of the present filter can be used infilters designed for other aquatic applications, such as in pondapplications, for example.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the present aquariumfilter 10 is designed to be easy and convenient to service. Inparticular, in one aspect, the disclosed filter housing 12 and filtercartridge 14 are constructed so that a user can simply place or depositthe filter cartridge into the filter housing, the housing and cartridgehaving self-positioning or self-spacing structure that seats the filtercartridge in the correct or proper position for filtering operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the filter housing 12 of the aquarium filter10 defines an interior filtering chamber 16. During filtration, thefilter cartridge 14 is located within the interior filtering chamber 16.A filter cover 18 can be positioned over the filtering chamber 16 toenclose the filter cartridge 14 within the housing 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the cover 18 includes a door 20 that providesaccess to the filtering chamber 16. The filter cartridge 14 can beremoved from and inserted into the filtering chamber 16 through the door20. In the alternative, the entire cover 18 can be removed to remove orinsert the filter cartridge 14.

The filter housing 12 generally includes a main filter housing portion22, a housing input 24 (shown in FIG. 8) and a housing output 26. Themain housing portion 22 of the aquarium filter 10 has a front wall 38, arear wall 42, a first side wall 44 (shown in FIG. 8), a second oppositeside wall 46, and a bottom wall 47. The front, rear, side and bottomwalls define the filtering chamber 16. A top 45 (FIG. 8) of the mainhousing portion 22 is open for receiving the filter cartridge 14.Further details of a filter housing that can be used in the presentaquarium filter are described in U.S. Patent Publication No.2009/0045112.

Referring to FIG. 8, the input 24 of the housing 12 is located at one ofthe sides of the main filter housing portion 22. In the illustratedembodiment, the input 24 is located at the first side wall 44 of themain filter housing portion 22. Water is drawn or directed from theaquarium into the filtering chamber 16 through the housing input 24. Inparticular and referring back to FIG. 1, the aquarium filter 10 includesan intake assembly 36 that is in fluid communication with the housinginput 24. The intake assembly 36 includes a motor (not shown) containedwithin a motor housing 88. The motor draws water from the aquariumthrough an intake tube 90 that directs the water into the input 24; theinput 24 in turn directing the water into the filtering chamber 16 ofthe filter housing 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, when the filter cartridge 14 is positionedwithin the filtering chamber 16, the filter cartridge 14 divides thefiltering chamber 16 into an upstream, unfiltered water chamber side 28and a downstream, filtered water chamber side 30. The upstream,unfiltered water chamber side 28 is located rearward of the downstream,filtered water chamber side 30 in the housing 12. In use, water flows bygravity from the rearward unfiltered water chamber side 28 through thefilter cartridge 14 to the forward filtered water chamber side 30.

From the downstream filtered water chamber side 30, the filtered wateris returned to the aquarium by way of the housing output 26. Inparticular, the water rises within the filtered water chamber side 30until it exits over the front wall 38 of the main housing portion 22(see arrows). In the illustrated embodiment, the output 26 includes aspillway lip 40 formed in the front wall 38 of the main housing portion22.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter cartridge 14 generallyincludes a carrier or support frame 50 and a filter element or filtermedia 52 secured relative to the support frame 50. In the illustratedembodiment, the support frame 50 generally has a tapering or narrowingconfiguration. In particular, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the supportframe 50 tapers from a first end 54 toward a second end 56. A handle 58is located at the first end 54 of the support frame 50 for maneuveringand carrying the filter cartridge 14.

Referring to FIG. 4, the support frame 50 includes a first frontwardframe section 60 (see also FIG. 2) that defines a front side of thesupport frame 50, and a second rearward frame section 62 that defines arear side of the support frame. The frame sections 60, 62 areinterconnected to one another at a hinged connection 84. The hingedconnection 84 permits the sections 60, 62 to hinge or pivot relative toone another from a closed position to an open position to provide accessto the filter media 52.

In particular, the filter media 52 is captured or retained between thefrontward and rearward frame sections 60, 62; i.e., within a cartridgeinterior 64 defined by the frame sections. The hinged connection 84permits a user to open and close the support frame 50 to remove filtermedia from or insert filter media into the cartridge interior 64.Further details of such a hinged connection are found in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2009/0045114; which application is incorporated hereinby reference. Also, further details of filter media that can be usedwith the disclosed support frame 50 are found in U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2009/0045113; which application is incorporated herein by reference.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the frontward and rearward sidesof the support frame 50 is primarily open to encourage water flowthrough the filter media 52. What is meant by primarily open is that thefront and rear sides of the support frame 50 have more open regions thanthat of structural surface area (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Transverse crosssupports 66 can be provided to ensure the relative positioning/placementof the filter media 52 within the support frame 50.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter cartridge 14 furtherincludes at least one protruding tab 70 (e.g., spacer or rib) thatextends or projects outward from the rearward frame section 62 of thesupport frame 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter cartridgehas a plurality of tabs including first and second upper tabs 72, 74located adjacent to the first end 54 of the support frame 50, and alower tab 76 located adjacent to the second end 56 of the support frame.The upper tabs 72, 74 are provided on a water collection structure 68located at the first end 54 of the support frame. Further details ofsuch a water collection structure are found in U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2009/0045114; which application is previously incorporated herein byreference. The lower tab 76 is centrally located on a cross support 66.Each of the tabs 70 (including tabs 72, 74, 76) extends in a transversedirection relative to the rear side of the support frame 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the filter cartridge 14 is placedor deposited into the interior filtering chamber 16 of the filterhousing 12, the tabs 70 contact the rear wall 42 of the filter housing12 to space the filter cartridge 14 a distance from the rear wall 42.Referring back to FIG. 3, the distance at which the filter cartridge isspaced generally defines the depth D of the unfiltered water chamberside 28 of the filter housing 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, forward spacing of the filter cartridge14 is limited by retaining structure provided in the filtering chamber16 of the filter housing 12. In particular, the filter housing 12 has asingle rib or ridge 48 that constrains the forward placement of thefilter cartridge 14. What is meant by single rib is that only one rib isprovided as opposed to two parallel ribs (e.g., side-by-side ribs) thatcapture a filter element therebetween. The single rib can include aunitary length of rib or a segmented rib having spaced rib portions. Thefilter cartridge 14 seats against the single rib 48 when the filtercartridge 14 is deposited in the filter housing 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the single rib 48 includes at least firstand second vertical rib portions 78, 80 formed on interior surfaces ofthe first and second side walls 44, 46 of the filter housing 12. Aninterconnecting rib portion 82 that joins the first and second verticalrib portions 78, 80 is formed along a bottom interior surface of thehousing. The single rib 48 functions to not only provide an opposingconstraint to properly position the filter cartridge, the single rib 48further functions to prevent water flow by-pass under or around theedges of the filter cartridge 14. The water flow instead generally flowsthrough the filter cartridge.

To install the filter cartridge 14, a user simply deposits or insertsthe filter cartridge in the filtering chamber 16 of the filter housing12. As can be understood, the tapering construction of the filtercartridge aids in the downward movement or insertion of the cartridge.The tabs 70 of the filter cartridge and the vertical guides 78, 80 ofthe housing cooperate to align the cartridge automatically upon downwardmovement of the cartridge. That is, the user need not be concerned withviewing and aligning edges of the filter cartridge within a groove orbetween two parallel guide rails, which can be difficult given therearward location of filter housings in most aquarium set-ups. Rather,the tabs 70 automatically contact the rear wall 42 of the filter housingto position the filter cartridge 14 in the proper forward positionagainst the vertical guides 78, 80.

The tabs 70 are further designed to have a generally flat construction,and are oriented such that the opposing planar surfaces 94, 96 (FIG. 6)of the tabs 70 are generally perpendicular to the rear side of thesupport frame 50, i.e., the primary planar surfaces are parallel to thegeneral direction of water flow through the filter media 52.

Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment an angled fin 86 can be locatedin the bottom region of the filter housing 12. The angled fin 86 aids inthe forward placement of the filter cartridge 14. As the cartridge movesdownward during installation, the second end 56 of the support frame 50may contact an angled surface 92 of the fin 86 to direct the supportframe 50 forward. The rear wall 42 of the housing 12 can further includeoptional standoffs 98 having an angled construction. The angledconstruction of the standoffs 98 also aid in properly positioning thefilter cartridge 14 in the forward operable filtering position relativeto the filter housing 12. The angled standoffs illustrated contact onlythe upper tabs 72, 74 of the filter cartridge 14; however, a lowerstandoff that contacts the lower tab 76 of the cartridge can be providedin lieu of the angled fin.

In general, the filter housing 12 and cartridge 14 provide aself-spacing arrangement that automatically positions the filtercartridge in the operable filtering position relative to the filterhousing. That is, while the user drops or guides the filter cartridgedownward into the filtering chamber 16, the arrangement between thefilter housing 12 and cartridge 14 functions to seat the filtercartridge 14 against the single rib 48 formed in the filter housing 12.Accordingly, to install the filter cartridge, the user need not beconcerned about precisely placing the filter cartridge within theoperable filter position; rather, the user can simply deposit the filtercartridge 14 within the top opening of the filter housing 12 in ageneral region offset from the operable filter position. As the filterdrops or moves downward, the filter cartridge 14 automatically movesforward via contact between the tabs 70 and the upright rear wall 42 ofthe filter housing 12.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A method of assembling an aquarium filter, the aquarium filterincluding a filter housing and a filter cartridge, the method comprisingthe steps of: a) depositing the filter cartridge within a top opening ofthe filter housing in a region offset from an operable filteringposition; b) wherein as the filter cartridge move downward within thefilter housing, the filter cartridge automatically moves forward intothe operable filtering position, the filter cartridge dividing thefiltering chamber into an unfiltered water chamber side and a filteredwater chamber side in the operable filtering position.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the filter cartridge seats against a single rib formedin the filter housing as the filter cartridge automatically movesforward into the operable filtering position.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the filter cartridge includes a tab that automatically spacesthe cartridge from an upright wall of filter housing.
 4. A filtercartridge carrier for use in an aquarium filter housing, the filtercartridge carrier comprising: a) a support frame having a first end anda second end, and a first side and a second side, each of the first sideand the second side being primarily open to allow aquarium water to passtherethrough; b) a handle located at the first end of the support frame;and c) a tab that spaces the carrier from an upright wall of theaquarium filter housing, the tab projecting outward from one of thefirst and second sides of the support frame in a transverse directionrelative to the one side.
 5. The filter cartridge carrier of claim 4,wherein the second end of the support frame has a tapering construction.6. The filter cartridge carrier of claim 4, including a plurality oftabs that space the cartridge from the upright wall of the aquariumfilter housing, and wherein the tabs include an upper tab locatedadjacent to the first end of the support frame and a lower tab locatedadjacent to the second end of the support frame.
 7. The filter cartridgecarrier of claim 4, wherein the support frame includes a first framesection that defines the first side and a second frame section thatdefines the second side, the first and second frame sections beinginterconnected to one another at a hinged connection.
 8. The filtercartridge carrier of claim 4, wherein the tab has a generally flatconstruction defined by opposing primary planar surfaces, the opposingprimary planar surfaces being oriented in a generally perpendiculardirection relative to the one side.
 9. A filter cartridge for use in anaquarium filter housing, the filter cartridge comprising: a) a supportframe having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a secondside; b) filter media secured relative to the support frame; c) a handlelocated at the first end of the support frame; and d) a tab that spacesthe cartridge from an upright wall of the aquarium filter housing, thetab projecting outward from one of the first and second sides of thesupport frame in a transverse direction relative to the one side. 10.The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein the support frame defines aninterior region between the first and second sides, the filter mediabeing positioned within the interior region of the support frame. 11.The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein each of the first side and thesecond side is primarily open to allow aquarium water to passtherethrough.
 12. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein the secondend of the support frame has a tapering construction.
 13. The filtercartridge of claim 9, including a plurality of tabs that space thecartridge from an upright wall of the aquarium filter housing, andwherein the tabs include an upper tab located adjacent to the first endof the support frame and a lower tab located adjacent to the second endof the support frame.
 14. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein thesupport frame includes a first frame section that defines the first sideand a second frame section that defines the second side, the first andsecond frame sections being interconnected to one another at a hingedconnection.